J Jones. Battery may seem like a lot less hassle but when it comes to the financial side of it electric costs sooooooooo much more. I just started flying in December of 06 and thought I would just buy a plane and have a good time flying loops and rolls. Wow, was I dead wrong. I have that trainer doing everything it can possibly do in aerobatics. It is sooooooooo much more fun instead of cutting circles in the sky. My personal opinion is that you get a better appreciation for flying and the hobby. So anyway, I decided to build to a Stryker frame and upgrade it. The only thing original on it is the fuselage and $400 later I have a faster airplane and spent more money on one plane then I did starting up in glow. And the other downside is I can only fly it for 9 minutes and I have to charge the battery. However, the battery has to cool down. You are looking at about 30 - 45 minutes then 2 hours to charge. So my other option is to go and buy 1 or 2 more batteries at $70 a piece now you are over $500.

I love to fly the Stryker but man oh man is the electric side so much more expensive. You have to buy a charger, power supply (unless you know how to convert a computer power supply. thank god guys at the airfield know how.), a balancer, and etc. Plus there is just no better sound than that of a glow engine. Just my two cents worth. good luck with your choices and selection.

One more thought though. I would highly recommend going to a field and getting an instructor. You will get soooooooooooooooooooooooooo much more out of this hobby and probably strike an even more love for it.